We are transition-planning my retirement as Head of Sales, and we currently have both my successor and me sitting in the same seat on our Accountability Chart for a six-month transition period. It is causing massive confusion for our sales reps and clients. How do we represent this transition on the chart without violating the one-name rule?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Having two names in one seat is a violation of EOS® principles because it dilutes accountability. When two people are responsible for a seat, nobody is responsible. This setup inevitably leads to mixed messaging, dropped balls, and confusion among your team and clients.

To resolve this during your transition, you must choose who is ultimately accountable today. You cannot split the seat down the middle. If your successor is ready to take the reins, put their name in the Head of Sales seat on the Accountability Chart now.

Your name must be moved to a separate, temporary advisor or consultant seat that reports directly to the Head of Sales or the Integrator. This visual change makes it clear to everyone in the organization that your successor has the final say on all sales decisions, strategy, and personnel issues.

If your successor is not quite ready to run the department, then your name must remain in the Head of Sales seat. In this scenario, your successor should be placed in a deputy or manager seat reporting to you.

Whichever option you choose, the lines of authority must be clean and absolute. A transition period is not an excuse for structural chaos. Define who owns the seat today, update the Accountability Chart immediately, and communicate the clear reporting structure to your entire team.